Dosomething.org came together with Staples for the second annual Do Something 101 school supply drive to give school supplies to underprivileged children. Singer-songwriter Ciara helps promote the cause by encouraging teens to collect supplies and donate them to their local Staples store.
“Ciara has been a fantastic spokesperson. She really believes in education and is attending an event in New York, where people volunteer, fill backpacks with supplies, and where we say ‘thank you’ to everyone who helped with the cause,” said Aria Finger, Chief Marketing Officer of DoSomething.org.
“The Do Something 101 campaign is such a great cause. I can’t imagine going to school without pencils, notebooks and other basic supplies,” said Ciara. “Every little bit counts and, through Do Something 101, the more we can get these essential products to teens, the more we help kids stay in school and excel even further.”
This program not only supports children who need the supplies, but also encourages teens to make their summers positive and productive by assisting them in raising money and supplies for the cause. “DoSomething.org believes teenagers have the power to make a difference. We leverage communications technologies to enable teens to convert their ideas and energy into positive action. We inspire, empower and celebrate a generation of doers: teenagers who recognize the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action,” said DoSomething.org’s website.
The program encourages teens to collect supplies and support from organizations and clubs they are already involved in this summer. DoSomething.org and Staples offer tips, resources, and flyers to teens who want to become involved. They also offer a $25 gift certificate to Staples and dosomething.org provides helpful suggestions to students who want to get their peers involved in the cause. For example, when students make a competition between classes as to who can bring the most supplies, it inspires them to bring the items. Do Something 101 asks students to take their picture while collecting supplies and will post them on their website.
The items most needed by Do Something 101 are pens and pencils, three ring binders, colored pencils, paper, book covers, notebook highlighters, index cards, pocket folders, and markers.
The school supplies and money collected will go to the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Monica whose mission is to “enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring responsible citizens.” The Boys & Girls Club is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to help children of all different backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses. The supplies will go to children who are living at poverty level, which is defined as a family of four earning less than $19,157 per year.
Staples is donating more than $125,000 worth of supplies and in 2008, Do Something 101 filled tens of thousands of backpacks with supplies for children across the United States with help from singer Jordin Sparks. People may also make a monetary donation at Staples stores. All donations and support can be made between July 5 and September 19th.
